Friday, September 12, 2008
Welcome to the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Red Bull Indianapolis GP is the 14th race of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.
Notes, quotes, trivia, historical information and other items will appear on these pages through Sunday, Sept. 14. Our Media Center staff, headed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Director of Public Relations Ron Green and Media Center Manager Bill York, is here to assist you and answer your questions during this event.
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TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):
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7 a.m.-6 p.m. |
Public Gates Open Hall of Fame Museum Open |
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8:30-9:15 a.m. |
125cc Practice |
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9:30-11 a.m. |
MotoGP Practice #1 |
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11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
250cc Practice |
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1:10-1:40 p.m. |
125cc Qualifying #1 |
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1:55-2:55 p.m. |
MotoGP Practice #2 |
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3:10-3:55 p.m. |
250cc Qualifying #1 |
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4:05-4:30 p.m. |
Red Bull Riders & AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Practice |
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5:10-5:30 p.m. |
Red Bull Riders and AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Qualifying #1 |
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5:40-6 p.m. |
Red Bull Riders and AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Qualifying #2 |
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Timing and scoring monitors are located throughout the Media Center with up-to-the-minute times and speeds.
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Red Bull Indianapolis GP information is available on the World Wide Web this week on the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway site, http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, the official event site, http://www.redbullindianapolisgp.com, and the official MotoGP site, http://www.motogp.com. Included in the information will be practice summaries and performance histories, qualifying results, Daily Trackside Reports, driver quotes, race lineups and results.
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Many riders wear clear plastic rain jackets over their leathers when riding in wet conditions.
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Journalists with a valid MotoGP season credential or Red Bull Indianapolis GP credential will be granted access to the Toyota Challenge Showdown USAC Midget Series race tonight at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis and the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Flat Track Grand National on Saturday night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Any journalist attending the USAC Midget Series race at ORP must stop at the main ticket plaza to sign a waiver and get a wrist band and parking pass.
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Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt will not attend the Red Bull Indianapolis GP this weekend as originally planned due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Ike on the Texas Gulf Coast. Foyt's home and IndyCar Series team headquarters are located near Houston.
Foyt's son Larry and crew members of A.J. Foyt Racing plan to attend the race.
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Reigning Miss America Kirsten Haglund, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., will sing the national anthem before the start of the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday.
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The inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP will receive live U.S. national television coverage by NBC Sports from 3-4 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.
The NBC broadcast team for the event will include veteran motorcycle racing play-by-play announcers Ralph Sheheen and Robbie Floyd, and color commentary by 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz.
The IMS Radio Network will also provide in-depth coverage of the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP with a preview show/qualifying wrap-up from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 and race coverage from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14.
In Indianapolis, WIBC-FM 93.1, the flagship station for the IMS Radio Network, will offer live coverage from the Speedway from 8 a.m. to the end of the race.
The IMS Radio Network on-air crew will be comprised of familiar names from the network's Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series coverage: Mike King, anchor; Donald Davidson, historian; Dave Wilson and Kevin Olson, pit reporters; and Jerry Baker, Bob Jenkins, Jake Query and Mark Jaynes, turn announcers.
Legendary AMA motocross champion and 1997 Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Jeff Ward joins the team as a rider analyst.
Ward, who was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2006, was the first rider to win every major AMA motocross national championship. He followed with a successful career in the IndyCar Series, with one victory and 27 top-10 finishes in 61 starts. He won the AMA Supermoto title in 2004 and 2006 and the X Games Supermoto title in 2006 and 2008.
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There are four American riders competing in MotoGP, two in 250cc and three in 125cc at this event:
•MotoGP: #69 Nicky Hayden, Owensboro, Ky.; #5 Colin Edwards, Houston; John Hopkins, Ramona, Calif.; Ben Spies, Longview, Texas (wild-card rider)
•250cc: #29 Barrett Long, Miami (wild-card rider); #38 Kyle Ferris, Wildomar, Calif. (wild-card rider)
•125cc: #51 Stevie Bonsey, Salinas, Calif.; #54 PJ Jacobsen, Goshen, N.Y. (wild-card rider); #90 Kristian Lee Turner, Chattanooga, Tenn. (wild-card rider)
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Fans who wish to park inside the IMS grounds should enter via Gate 10 on 30th Street. Gate 2, the main tunnel entrance off 16th Street and a traditional public access point for the Indianapolis 500 and Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, will be available only for credentialed and disabled parking during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.
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Don't be surprised if the winner of the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway also captures the MotoGP World Championship this season.
The Brickyard always has been a superb barometer of champions.
Winning at Indianapolis has been a good indicator of season success in every major series that has raced at the historic facility. A breakdown:
•Indianapolis 500 (1911-16, 1919-41, 1946-2008): Thirty-four of 92 winners also captured a major open-wheel series title in the same season, a "double" strike rate of 37 percent.
•Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (1994-2007): Six of 14 winners also captured the top-level NASCAR season title in the same season, a "double" strike rate of 43 percent.
•United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis (2000-07): Three of eight winners also captured the Formula One World Championship in the same season, a "double" strike rate of 38 percent.
While those numbers are impressive, the names of the competitors who have achieved them are even more significant. Legends like A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Rahal, Al Unser Jr., Wilbur Shaw, Louis Meyer, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jeff Gordon and Michael Schumacher are among those who have pulled off the Indy victory/season title "double."
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Selected MotoGP statistical notes for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP:
•Valentino Rossi can become the winningest MotoGP/500cc rider in history with a victory at this event. Rossi tied fellow Italian legend Giacomo Agostini with his 68th premier-class victory on Aug. 31 in the Grand Prix of San Marino at Misano, Italy.
•Giacomo Agostini earned his 68 victories in 119 starts, for a strike rate of 57.1 percent. Valentino Rossi has won 68 of his 145 starts, a 46.9 percent strike rate.
•Valentino Rossi has won the last three races of the season and leads second-place Casey Stoner by 75 points.
•Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner has won seven consecutive poles this season entering this event, the longest pole streak in the premier class since fellow Australian World Champion Mick Doohan won 12 consecutive poles in 1997.
•Dani Pedrosa will switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tires starting at this event on his Repsol Honda Team bike. His teammate, 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden, will stay on Michelin tires. Repsol Honda Team becomes the second team in MotoGP this season with split tire loyalties, as Rossi has been on Bridgestones all season on his Fiat Yamaha Team machine while teammate Jorge Lorenzo has been on Michelins.
•The Red Bull Indianapolis GP is the 13th motorcycle Grand Prix race in America. The first was in 1964 at Daytona International Speedway, with the latest in July at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, won by Valentino Rossi.
•If American Colin Edwards finishes third or better at this event, he will equal the 124 points he has earned each of the last two seasons in MotoGP.
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125cc PRACTICE #1:
At 8:30 a.m., the ambient temperature was 70 degrees F (21 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy, with heavy rain falling.
8:30 a.m. - GREEN. #51 Stevie Bonsey, from Salinas, Calif., was the first rider to complete a flying lap of the 2.621-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit in event competition.
8:43 a.m. -- #45 Redding quickest at 2:15.541.
8:51 a.m. -- #29 Iannone quickest at 2:08.369.
8:56 a.m. -- #1 Talmacsi quickest at 2:06.539.
9:03 a.m. -- #8 Zanetti quickest at 2:04.531.
9:11 a.m. -- #1 Talmacsi quickest at 2:03.481.
9:13 a.m. -- #29 Iannone overshoots corner in Turn 3, continues.
9:15 a.m. - CHECKERED. End of session.#1 Talmacsi falls in Turn 9, remounts bike, continues. #29 Andrea Iannone quickest at 2:02.779.
Top Five Riders, 125cc Practice #1:
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1. |
#29 Andrea Iannone |
2:02.779 |
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2. |
#45 Scott Redding |
2:03.430 |
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3. |
#1 Gabor Talmacsi |
2:03.481 |
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4. |
#8 Lorenzo Zanetti |
2:04.531 |
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5. |
#63 Mike Di Meglio |
2:05.588 |
Americans: #54 Jacobsen, 25th, 2:10.552; #51 Bonsey, 29th, 2:14.654; #90 Turner, 36th, 2:23.676.
Top trap speed: #17 Bradl, 136.2 mph (219.2 km/h)
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MotoGP PRACTICE #1:
At 9:30 a.m., the ambient temperature was 70 degrees F (21 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy, with moderate rain falling.
•Quickest lap during July testing: 1:43.0069, Niccolo Canepa, Ducati (dry conditions)
9:30 a.m. - GREEN. #15 Alex de Angelis, from San Marino, was the first MotoGP class rider to complete a flying lap of the 2.621-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit in event competition.
9:35 a.m. -- #15 de Angelis off track, continues.
9:55 a.m. -- #13 West quickest at 1:56.605.
10:10 a.m. - Valentino Rossi put on rubber surgical gloves under his riding gloves in the Fiat Yamaha Team garage area to help keep his hands dry.
10:11 a.m. -- #1 Stoner off track in Turn 13, continues.
10:15 a.m. - Rain has reduced to sprinkles.
10:15 a.m. -- #11 Spies quickest at 1:56.423.
10:16 a.m. -- #13 West quickest at 1:56.259.
10:18 a.m. -- #13 West improves quickest lap to 1:55.463.
10:21 a.m. -- #13 West improves quickest lap to 1:55.265.
10:36 a.m. -- #1 Stoner quickest at 1:54.989.
10:39 a.m. -- #1 Stoner improves quickest lap to 1:53.701.
10:43 a.m. -- #1 Stoner improves quickest lap to 1:53.216.
10:47 a.m. -- #13 West climbs to second at 1:53.918.
10:53 a.m. -- #13 West quickest at 1:53.034.
10:57 a.m. -- #1 Stoner falls in Turn 1. Bike gets sideways upon exit of turn, with Stoner doing a "high side" and flying over the top, landing on his chest and then sliding on his backside down the track. Stoner returned to his feet without assistance and was transported to Ducati garage.
11 a.m. - CHECKERED. End of session. #13 Anthony West quickest at 1:53.034.
Top Five Riders, MotoGP Practice #1:
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1. |
#13 Anthony West |
1:53.034 |
|
2. |
#15 Alex de Angelis |
1:53.151 |
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3. |
#1 Casey Stoner |
1:53.190 |
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4. |
#4 Andrea Dovizioso |
1:53.704 |
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5. |
#21 John Hopkins |
1:53.715 |
Other Americans: #69 Hayden, eighth, 1:53.931; #11 Spies, ninth, 1:54.297; #5 Edwards, 15th, 1:55.731.
Top trap speed: #21 Hopkins, 177.4 mph (285.5 km/h)
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Rain has forced the cancellation of the Toyota Challenge Showdown USAC Midget Series race tonight at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.
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IndyCar Series standouts Danica Patrick and Sarah Fisher are planning to attend the Red Bull Indianapolis GP this weekend.
Patrick was the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year and became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race, in May at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan.
Fisher became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series pole position, in 2002 at Kentucky Speedway.
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250cc PRACTICE #1:
At 11:15 a.m., the ambient temperature was 71 degrees F (22 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy, with moderate rain falling.
11:15 a.m. - GREEN. #45 Doni Tata Pradita, from Indonesia, was the first 250cc class rider to complete a flying lap of the 2.621-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit in event competition.
11:30 a.m. - #21 Barbera quickest at 1:59.297.
11:32 a.m. - #55 Faubel off track, continues.
11:35 a.m. -- #21 Barbera improves quickest lap to 1:57.708.
11:45 a.m. -- #21 Barbera improves quickest lap to 1:55.851.
Noon -- #58 Simoncelli second at 1:57.555.
12:15 p.m. -- #75 Pasini quickest at 1:55.468.
12:30 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of session. #75 Mattia Pasini quickest at 1:55.468.
Top Five Riders, 250cc Practice #1:
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1. |
#75 Mattia Pasini |
1:55.468 |
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2. |
#21 Hector Barbera |
1:55.669 |
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3. |
#12 Thomas Luthi |
1:55.824 |
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4. |
#58 Marco Simoncelli |
1:55.977 |
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5. |
#36 Mika Kallio |
1:56.819 |
Americans: #29 Long, 22nd, 2:04.436; #38 Ferris, 25th, 2:11.124.
Top trap speed: #6 Debon, 163.0 mph (262.3 km/h)
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250cc PRACTICE QUOTES:
KYLE FERRIS (Wild-card rider, Wildomar, Calif.): (What is it like to ride at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?): "Unbelievable, even with the weather we've been given. We've done all this in six or seven days since we knew we were coming here." (How much more difficult is it to race in the rain?): "It's a lot more unpredictable. You can't exactly see where the deeper puddles are and where it is actually standing water or if it's dry. So this is basically my first time ever racing in the rain, and I would much rather it be dry." (How difficult do you think it will be to make the race within the required time?): "As of right now, I've been told I've got the time for qualifying, within three seconds. So, I don't think it will be that difficult. I think rain does make it more equal out there. So we'll see."
BARRETT LONG (Wild-card rider, Miami): (On riding as a wild-card entry): "It's great. So many people I know are coming here, and it's just going to be a great weekend. We're just trying to do the best we can with what we have. Obviously, our bikes are a little slower than everybody else's, but I think we can hang in there if it keeps on raining." (On the wet track conditions): "It's a little tricky going out there and learning the track in the wet, and there's a few puddles, but everything's working out OK now. You're riding as hard as you can in the wet. The lap times are probably 50 percent of what they are in the dry, but the effort into it is 100 percent or more." (About first impression going down the main straightaway at IMS): "I thought, 'Man, this thing is long.' I've never been down a straightaway that long."
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125cc QUALIFYING #1:
The starting grid for the 125cc race Sunday will be determined by the quickest overall time for each rider from either this session or Saturday's session. The sessions are 30 minutes each day.
•Quickest lap, morning practice: 2:02.779, #29 Andrea Iannone
At 1:10 p.m., the ambient temperature was 72 degrees F (22 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and south-southeast winds at 2 mph (3 km/h). Skies were cloudy, with light rain falling.
1:10 p.m. - GREEN.
1:18 p.m. -- #1 Talmacsi quickest at 2:03.282.
1:21 p.m. -- #1 Talmacsi falls exiting Turn 14 while on provisional pole. Bike gets sideways, with Talmacsi doing a "high side" and flying over the top. Talmacsi returned to his feet without assistance, shaking his hand and wrist, and was transported to garage.
1:24 p.m. -- #8 Zanetti quickest at 2:00.521.
1:25 p.m. -- #45 Redding quickest at 2:00.259.
1:30 p.m. -- #45 Redding quickest at 1:59.977.
1:35 p.m. -- #93 Marquez quickest at 1:59.651.
1:38 p.m. -- #45 Redding quickest at 1:59.415.
1:39 p.m. -- #8 Zanetti quickest at 1:58.848. #13 de Rosa falls in Turn 1. Bike gets sideways, with de Rosa doing a "high side" and flying over the top. De Rosa walks away from bike without assistance.
1:40 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of session. #8 Lorenzo Zanetti quickest at 1:58.491.
Top Five Riders, 125cc Qualifying #1:
|
1. |
#8 Lorenzo Zanetti |
1:58.491 |
|
2. |
#45 Scott Redding |
1:58.884 |
|
3. |
#29 Andrea Iannone |
1:59.113 |
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4. |
#63 Mike Di Meglio |
1:59.597 |
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5. |
#93 Marc Marquez |
1:59.615 |
Americans: #51 Bonsey, 23rd, 2:03.859; #54 Jacobsen, 27th, 2:04.545; #90 Turner, 33rd, 2:08.273.
Top trap speed: #17 Bradl, 139.7 mph (224.9 km/h)
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The Red Bull Riders Cup race Sunday will pit the top 10 riders from the European-based Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup series against the top 10 riders from the North American-based Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup series.
But an American rider, JD Beach of Everett, Wash., won the MotoGP Rookies Cup this season and will lead the Europeans against the North American riders. Beach moved to Europe last year to participate in the first season of the MotoGP Rookies Cup, as there was no North American Rookies Cup in 2007.
When the AMA U.S. Rookies Cup series was formed for 2008, Beach decided to stay in the European-based series.
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Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner was on track at the start of the second MotoGP practice despite his crash in the first practice on the Ducati Team Ducati/Bridgestone.
Stoner is suffering from a broken scaphoid in his left wrist, which he aggravated earlier this season.
CASEY STONER: "The track conditions vary drastically between the old surface and the new. Grip is good on the old stuff, but there isn't even minimum grip on the recently laid asphalt, and the rain makes it much worse because it isn't draining off. At the end of the session, I crashed on the section where the grip is poorest, and that's obviously not good for the wrist, but thankfully it didn't create any major problems. I tried to get back on, but it wasn't possible. Otherwise I would have come back on the bike. In general, I'm quite satisfied with how we've started."
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Seven-time Indianapolis 500 starter Stephan Gregoire is riding one of the KTM "rider taxi" motorcycles this weekend at this event. The "rider taxis" transport riders from disabled motorcycles on the circuit to the paddock.
Gregoire, who lives in the Indianapolis area, is an avid motorcyclist. His last Indianapolis 500 start came in 2006.
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125cc QUALIFYING #1 QUOTES:
LORENZO ZANETTI: "The track is good. The only problem was the security (run-off) in the second corner, but the track is good. Today is perfect. Now, it's the best time for the day. I hope for the race it's this condition. It's perfect for me. It is my first provisional pole. I hope for the same tomorrow."
KRIS TURNER (Wild-card rider, Chattanooga, Tenn.): (About first impression of riding at Indianapolis Motor Speedway): "The track's really nice. It's pretty wet, and there are some sections that are kind of slick and other sections that are really good. I've got a couple more seconds to go to qualify. We're working on it; we're getting close." (On his excitement level riding at the Speedway): "It's an honor to be here. It's so amazing; the straightaway; the fences and everything. It's so different than anything else I've seen. I mean, you know, we're a little off on power, but we're getting there. I don't know; it's just confidence, I guess. The rain's not really bothering me too much. It's just we're not exactly on the same equipment the top guys are on, so we're having to put a little more work into it."
STEVIE BONSEY (Only full-time American rider in 125cc, Salinas, Calif.): (About his impressions of IMS): "So far I have been having a pretty hard time with it. It hasn't been going as smooth as we had planned. This morning we went out and I felt confident and I tried to get out to a quick pace too early, and I lost the front tire and we came in and tried to get the bike fixed and it took a lot of time in free practice 1. So in this qualifying session, we were just trying to make up for the lost time from this morning and trying to figure out the track a little bit better. But these conditions are not helping me figure out the track, and with the old F1 circuit they put in new pavement for the new parts - so the old F1 circuit has a lot of grip in the rain, and then you go to the new stuff and it is real slippery and it puddles up a lot, so it is difficult. You have to find your line, and it seems that every time I go around it there is a different line or a puddle in a different spot, so I'm just struggling to figure out the track right now. Once I figure it out, we will be fine, but we just need some more time, some more time, for sure. Hopefully it clears up a little bit, and we get better weather. This is my home track. This is kind of getting toward the end of the year, and I want some good results for a good ride next year. I just can't worry about that right now. If I start stressing too much, I'm just going to go backward, so I have to try and just relax and take it easy and start over. Take the good things I learned and forget about the bad."
PJ JACOBSEN (Wild-card rider, Goshen, N.Y.): (About riding at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway): "It feels great; it feels good to be with the up-and-coming professionals, and I'm just an up-and-coming star coming. But, I mean, it's really hard, and I'm just getting a lot of experience. I'm just glad to be a part of all these guys. You just keep fighting, and you have to put your head down, so it's pretty good. I'm really not expecting anything out of me. I'm just here to learn everything and do as best as I can and just put my head down and just say, 'Come on, PJ.'" (Regarding the weather conditions): "It's the same for everybody, but I wouldn't really prefer the wet. I'm a lot faster in the dry. The GP guys have a lot more experience, and it's been raining for every GP. But it feels good to be here and everything."
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Camilla Payne, the grandmother of American 125cc rider Stevie Bonsey, is attending the Red Bull Indianapolis GP to see her grandson compete for the first time in MotoGP.
CAMILLA PAYNE: "Finally, I get to see my grandson race." (Have you seen him race at other venues?): "Flat tracks and that." (So this is quite a bit different?): "Big difference. I couldn't even keep an eye on him." (Does that make a grandmother nervous?): "Very. I was very nervous when some drivers went down and I didn't know who they were and I couldn't see, so I very nervous." (But this is a big moment for him in his home country): "Yes, he was so excited about being able to race here, in this country, so yeah, it is wonderful.: (When did he start racing motorcycles?) "Five. In his first race, there were three of them, and the other guys were just driving around the track, but Stevie was gunning it and acting like he really had power, but he wiped them out." (Where was that?): "San Jose, at the fairgrounds, I think." (It is a big step from there to here): "Yes, but he has earned it, and I hope he can go a long ways with this."
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MotoGP PRACTICE #2:
•Quickest lap, morning practice: 1:53.034, #13 Anthony West
At 1:55 p.m., the ambient temperature was 72 degrees F (22 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and east-southeast winds at 1 mph (1.6 km/h). Skies were cloudy, with light rain falling.
1:55 p.m. - GREEN.
1:57 p.m. - Rain intensifies.
2:01 p.m. -- #13 West quickest at 2:01.195.
2:07 p.m. - YELLOW. #50 Guintoli slides off bike into grass entering Turn 1, returns to feet without assistance.
2:10 p.m. - GREEN. #46 Rossi quickest at 1:57.574.
2:15 p.m. -- #46 Rossi improves quickest lap to 1:56.309.
2:19 p.m. -- #7 Vermeulen quickest at 1:56.202.
2:22 p.m. -- #7 Vermeulen improves quickest lap to 1:55.845. #13 West up to second at 1:55.850.
2:23 p.m. -- #13 West quickest at 1:54.854.
2:28 p.m. -- #14 de Puniet off track into grass, continues.
2:29 p.m. -- #13 West improves quickest lap to 1:54.274.
2:30 p.m. -- #15 de Angelis off track, continues.
2:32 p.m. -- #46 Rossi second quickest at 1:55.425, overshoots Turn 1 on next lap, continues.
2:45 p.m. -- Pouring rain arrives at Speedway.
2:48 p.m. -- #46 Rossi overshoots Turn 1, continues. #1 Stoner off track, continues.
2:53 p.m. -- #50 Guintoli, #5 Edwards both made a breaststroke swimming motion while playing for the cameras in their respective garages.
2:55 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of session. #13 Anthony West quickest at 1:54.274. IndyCar Series star and fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe chatted with West in the Kawasaki Racing Team garage after the session.
Top Five Riders, MotoGP Practice #2:
|
1. |
#13 Anthony West |
1:54.274 |
|
2. |
#7 Chris Vermeulen |
1:55.032 |
|
3. |
#15 Alex de Angelis |
1:55.067 |
|
4. |
#46 Valentino Rossi |
1:55.425 |
|
5. |
#11 Ben Spies |
1:55.869 |
Other Americans: #21 Hopkins, 11th, 1:58.335; #69 Hayden, 14th, 1:58.546; #5 Edwards, 15th, 1:58.600.
Top trap speed: #46 Rossi, 171.1 mph (275.3 km/h)
***
ANTHONY WEST: "The track is a bit strange. You've got the old and the new asphalt, so you've got to ride two different styles in each section." (About auditioning for a ride next season, as West will not returning to Kawasaki in 2009): "I definitely need a good performance. The whole season has been terrible. Brno was good for me. I'm looking for a ride at the moment, so I'm definitely trying to get the attention." (About the hardy fans at IMS braving the rain): "I hope they enjoyed it, because it was fun for me sliding around out there." (More about practice): "Yeah, it was pretty good. A good start to the weekend. It (rain) makes it pretty difficult to learn the track, but I'm having fun so far with it. It makes it hard. You have to ride completely different at each section of the track, and where it actually changes is halfway through a turn, so there is one section over on the back you actually take it easy going in and soon as it changes you are on the throttle hard because the surface is little bit better on some sessions." (How comfortable are you on wet surfaces?): "Ahhh … (laughs) not too bad, I guess." (How important is to you and the team to race here?): "For me, it is just another race, but I like enjoy being here in America because Europe, I spend way too much time there, and I love to get away from the place. America is a lot like being at home (Australia), so I enjoy it to be here."
***
MotoGP post-practice quotes will appear on separate sheets.
***
250cc QUALIFYING #1:
The starting grid for the 250cc race Sunday will be determined by the quickest overall time for each rider from either this session or Saturday's session. The sessions are 45 minutes each day.
•Quickest lap, morning practice: 1:55.468, #75 Mattia Pasini
At 3:10 p.m., the ambient temperature was 72 degrees F (22 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy, with heavy rain falling.
3:10 p.m. - GREEN.
3:24 p.m. -- #36 Kallio quickest at 2:03.718.
3:27 p.m. -- #36 Kallio improves quickest lap to 2:02.772.
3:28 p.m. - Torrential rain arrives at Speedway. Riders remain on track.
3:35 p.m. - No riders on track due to torrential rain.
3:40 p.m. -- #21 Barbera, #17 Abraham on track.
3:54 p.m. - Rain stops, with sun peeking through clouds.
3:55 p.m. - CHECKERED. #17 Karel Abraham is quickest at 2:02.529.
Top Five Riders, 250cc Qualifying #1:
|
1. |
#17 Karel Abraham |
2:02.529 |
|
2. |
#4 Hiroshi Aoyama |
2:02.691 |
|
3. |
#36 Mika Kallio |
2:02.772 |
|
4. |
#50 Eugene Laverty |
2:03.317 |
|
5. |
#6 Alex Debon |
2:03.684 |
Americans: #38 Ferris, 20th, 2:09.087; #29 Long, 24th, 2:17.989.
Top trap speed: #27 Bianco, 156.2 mph (251.3 km/h)
***
RED BULL RIDERS & AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP PRACTICE #1:
At 4:05 p.m., the ambient temperature was 71 degrees F (21 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and south winds at 1 mph. Skies were partly cloudy.
4:05 p.m. - GREEN. #3 Travis Wyman, from Macedon, N.Y., was the first Red Bull Rookies Cup rider to complete a flying lap of the 2.621-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit in event competition.
4:12 p.m. -- #12 Puerta quickest at 2:22.359.
4:21 p.m. -- #69 H. Gillim quickest at 2:11.899.
4:27 p.m. -- #69 H. Gillim improves quickest lap to 2:08.524.
4:30 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of session. #20 Mathew Scholtz is quickest at 2:07.099.
Top Five Riders, Red Bull Riders & AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Practice #1:
|
1. |
#20 Mathew Scholtz |
2:07.099 |
|
2. |
#69 Hayden Gillim |
2:07.758 |
|
3. |
#36 Leandro Mercado |
2:08.674 |
|
4. |
#12 Tomas Puerta |
2:09.433 |
|
5. |
#64 Matthew Hoyle |
2:09.484 |
Top trap speed: #29 Scholtz, 129.2 mph (208.0 km/h)
***
250cc QUALIFYING #1 QUOTE:
KAREL ABRAHAM (Provisional pole): "My bike is working very well. I think I could make my speed a little bit better. For tomorrow, I will make some suspension settings, but I hope the rain is on. But dry is nor a problem here. We push hard, and I make everything."
***
IndyCar Series star Ryan Briscoe spent time today in the Kawasaki Racing Team with fellow Australian Anthony West, the quickest rider in today's practice session. Briscoe ended the season fifth in the IndyCar Series with Team Penske.
RYAN BRISCOE: "It was a nice season, and it was a nice ending in Chicago, and now I'm just back in Indy enjoying the bikes. It's a bit different -- pretty impressive." (You must appreciate their talent): "Absolutely, and we have a few Aussies in the field, so it good to see them doing so well in the rain here. But it is just impressive seeing the bikes go around, even in the rain. Awesome machines, awesome riders." (What is crazier, these guys in the rain or you guys (IRL) going three-wide at Chicago?): "I don't know. We can probably call each other crazy. I'm sure I feel more comfortable going three-wide in Chicago than getting on one of these machines."
***
RED BULL RIDERS & AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP QUALIFYING #1:
•Quickest lap, practice: 2:07.099, #20 Mathew Scholtz
At 5:10 p.m., the ambient temperature was 72 degrees F (22 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and calms winds. Skies were partly cloudy.
5:10 p.m. - GREEN.
5:25 p.m. -- #69 H. Gillim quickest at 2:01.996.
5:30 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of session.
Top Five Riders, Red Bull Riders & AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Qualifying #1:
|
1. |
#69 Hayden Gillim |
2:01.996 |
|
2. |
#20 Mathew Scholtz |
2:02.245 |
|
3. |
#84 Jakub Kornfeil |
2:02.911 |
|
4. |
#64 Matthew Hoyle |
2:03.068 |
|
5. |
#32 Jacob Gagne |
2:03.262 |
Top trap speed: #94 Jacob Cunningham, 133.9 mph (215.5 km/h)
***
The Red Bull Indianapolis GP ushers in a new era in the television coverage of the MotoGP World Championship. Commercial rights-holders of the series and producers of the world television broadcast, Dorna Sports this weekend will employ 133 separate cameras to cover every angle of the race. It is a figure that few sporting events can match.
The miniature onboard cameras installed on the bikes give fans at home incredible shots from the rider's perspective and are the closest thing to actually being on the motorcycles themselves. To heighten the drama from the onboards, Dorna has consistently increased the amount of mini-cameras, which boast the latest digital technology. As such MotoGP Radio Frequency suppliers Gigawave, based in Colchester, United Kingdom, have developed systems specifically designed for MotoGP in order to have crystal clear, consistent images considering the amount of cameras being used.
There will be 105 mini-cameras used this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All the bikes on the MotoGP grid will have at least three onboard cameras fitted, with a total of 94 being used during the MotoGP race alone. There are a further eight used in the 250cc category, with three more installed in the BMW "Safety Car" and one also on Ducati's MotoGP2 demo lap bike.
The majority of MotoGP bikes will have the three standard mini-cameras installed (front, rear, tail), and the remaining bikes will have four. This fourth camera is an extra special unit fitted alongside the three standard cameras showing images such as the close up of riders' throttle hands or gear changing.
Each MotoGP rider has two bikes, and for most riders both bikes have onboard cameras installed. As such, if there is a change of bike, a crash or even a 'flag-to-flag' race, the coverage is unaffected. In total, 28 bikes have been fitted with cameras.
In 250cc, the top four riders in the championship each have one bike fitted with two cameras, a front and rear. In the Safety Car, the three cameras are a rear facing camera, an interior "cockpit" camera and a camera showing the driver and co-driver.
The action also will be covered by the usual external cameras over every single inch of the asphalt with 28 cameras in total: 22 trackside, four roaming RF cameras in pit lane, one helicopter gyrocam and one paddock camera.
The International Program Feed will have a total of 133 cameras at its disposal this weekend.
***
RED BULL RIDERS & AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP QUALIFYING #2:
•Quickest lap, practice: 2:07.099, #20 Mathew Scholtz
•Quickest lap, qualifying #1: 2:01.996, #69 Hayden Gillim
At 5:40 p.m., the ambient temperature was 72 degrees F (22 C) with a relative humidity of 100 percent and calms winds. Skies were cloudy.
5:40 p.m. - GREEN.
5:53 p.m. -- #20 Scholtz quickest at 2:02.245.
6 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of session. #20 Mathew Scholtz wins pole for Red Bull Riders Cup race at 2:00.533.
Top Five Riders, Red Bull Riders & AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Qualifying #2 (combined with Qualifying #1):
|
1. |
#20 Mathew Scholtz* |
2:00.533 |
|
2. |
#64 Matthew Hoyle* |
2:00.617 |
|
3. |
#36 Leandro Mercado** |
2:00.675 |
|
4. |
#69 Hayden Gillim** |
2:00.756 |
|
5. |
#32 Jacob Gagne** |
2:01.071 |
Top trap speed: #94 Jacob Cunningham, 134.6 mph (216.6 km/h)
* -- Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup rider
** -- Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup rider
***
RED BULL RIDERS & AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP QUALIFYING QUOTES:
MATHEW SCHOLTZ (Pole): (What's it like to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?): "I have heard a lot of the Indy 500. I was really looking forward to racing here. This is a special race here in the Riders Cup. I really liked this track. Hopefully I can get into the race here."
LEANDRO MERCADO (Third, top Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup rider): "The track was very difficult. It was hard to get a clean lap, and when I did get a clean lap, it was wet on one side and dry on the other." (The Moto GP guys are also having a bit of trouble with the changing surfaces. Are you?): "Yes, because of the places where it was wet, and some places have more grip than others." (If the conditions stay the same do you think you will be able to find a more consistent line?): "Yes, I'm sure we will be able to shave off several tenths."
JD BEACH (2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion): (How does it feel racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?): "It's cool because there's a lot of history here. I've watched some of the NASCAR races and stuff here, so it's cool being one of the first motorcycle racers here since 1909." (How did an American end up riding for the European team?): "Last year, when I started road racing, I rode for Red Bull GP Rookies Cup and I got selected to ride there again this year. This year, they started the Rider's Cup, so even though I'm American - I finished top 10 in the series over there - I'm riding for the European team. It's great because I don't get to be home a lot anymore. So it's great being able to be home and race and be with my family and friends. I'm originally from Washington state, but I'm living in Kentucky right now."
BENNY SOLIS (2008 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup points leader): "It's good. It's a little bumpy, but just the thought of racing here with all the history it (the track) has is a lot of fun. Not 100 percent of the track was dry. There were probably three or four turns that were still completely wet. Hopefully it will dry up more tomorrow." (On the format of AMA Red Bull Rookies versus the MotoGP Red Bull Rookies): "It's cool. It's a little scary because I don't know these kids. I don't know if I get next to them if they'll do something stupid or not. The U.S. kids, I've been racing with them for a while now, and I know that if I get close to them they're not going to freak out and move and take me out or anything. They (MotoGP Rookies Cup riders) look pretty good and they're pretty fast, too."
***
SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE:
|
7 a.m.-6 p.m. |
Public Gates Open Hall of Fame Museum Open |
|
8:45-9:45 a.m. |
125cc Practice #2 |
|
10-11 a.m. |
MotoGP Practice #3 |
|
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. |
250cc Practice #2 |
|
1:10-1:40 p.m. |
125cc Qualifying #2 |
|
1:55-2:55 p.m. |
MotoGP Qualifying |
|
3:10-3:55 p.m. |
250cc Qualifying #2 |
|
4 p.m. |
Red Bull Air Force Skydivers |
|
4:20-4:50 p.m. |
Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Race (16 laps) |
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